2) Gordon Taylor– who defended his PFA members in 2010 for refusing to take part in an anti-homophobia campaign video because: "It would be unfair to ask individuals to back a campaign like this in case they got targeted by crowds. It's a macho environment."

3) The Sun – worried it would still take "almost superhuman bravery" for a current player to follow Hitzlsperger's lead due to the threat of jibes from a "moronic minority". • 2011: The Sun on the Beckhams inviting Louis Spence to their party: "Bender it like Beckham".

Best leadership

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside: committing to lead the club to a new "self-sustainable future" and end over-reliance on benefactor Eddie Davies's £151m loans. • Gartside's previous best vision: 2001, with the club £30m in debt: "One of our directors, Eddie Davies, has loaned the club £2m and given us tremendous support. Eddie is a Farnworth lad and a lifelong Wanderers' fan who now lives in the Isle of Man and he has put more money into Bolton Wanderers than any other person in the history of the club. But we can't constantly rely on that sort of generosity. We have to run the business properly."

Plus: best resolution

11 Dec: Bologna president Albano Guaraldi, denying that fan pressure to start the new year by sacking coach Stefano Pioli was getting to him. "I deny all such speculation. Pioli is of great value to us. Maybe he'll even have a contract extension." 7 Jan: Maybe he won't.

Other news: green party

Claim of the week

Paraguay: Olympia player Sebastián Ariosa, alleging his club sacked him by telegram for having cancer. "This was not the time nor the way to do it. Doctors say I'll play again." Paraguay's PFA say the move was "inhumane"; Olympia say Ariosa is "simply suspended during the healing process".

Best perspective

Brazil: Marilia coach Luis dos Reis, looking for the positives after a friendly against Tupã was abandoned over a "kung-fu style" brawl. "We regret it, but it hardly matters. Games such as this are good for rapport. I'm a satisfied coach."

Most upbeat

Ghana: Prophet Kweku Mensah Otabil, "relaxed" over reports he faces arrest on allegations that he tried to extract $20,000 from Ghana's FA in return for not cursing their World Cup campaign. "What, police want to arrest me? Ghana police? I am not bothered at all."

Movie news

Brazil: Clayton Nunes, director of 2014 World Cup-themed porn film Copa do Sexo, on the creative challenge. "We're banned from using official products or logos, or lookalikes. It is so hard to avoid Fifa's attention."

Best pitch invasion

Portugal: Braga fan Maria Amélia da Silva Morais, 77, on why she invaded Marítimo's pitch last month: "I behaved badly, but I'll always fight for Braga. I'm a woman with no parents, no husband, no children: my loves are Braga and the church. I've never missed a game, and I never will – even if I'm ill I just take a blanket. Only a stroke could stop me. You know what I'm made of? I am made of iron."